Joyner's career night leads Burke past Middletown

GOSHEN — This is the signature game John S. Burke Catholic guard Patrick Joyner had been waiting for and, even better, this is how he drew it up.

JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

GOSHEN — This is the signature game John S. Burke Catholic guard Patrick Joyner had been waiting for and, even better, this is how he drew it up.

There was the big-time opponent, Middletown, and the packed gym on Burke Catholic's home floor — the Eagles' Nest. There was Joyner, who earned his keep last season primarily as a defensive stopper and role player, hitting some of the biggest shots on Tuesday night.

When it was over, Joyner had a career-high 18 points, leading Burke Catholic to a 68-58 win in a non-league matchup of Section 9 powers. The Eagles, ranked No. 7 in the state in Class A, led by as many as 19 points early in the fourth quarter.

"This is definitely one of my best games," said Joyner, a senior who entered the showdown averaging six points. "I've been working hard, I've been trying to get a big game like this for as long as I have been playing. I just got it today and it feels good. I was just in a rhythm."

By the time the game was over, Joyner's classmates were chanting "PJ's on fire." He certainly was efficient. Joyner went 5-of-9, hitting four 3-pointers. Stan Buczek added 15 points and seven rebounds for Burke Catholic and Mike Coffey had 11. Aaron Ray's 12 points led Middletown (6-5), which has lost five of its last six.

Burke Catholic put away Middletown for the second straight year with a 14-6 run to end the third quarter, which gave the Eagles (6-2) a 57-40 lead.

Up 46-34 with 2:55 remaining in the period, Stan Buczek was fouled, and Middletown coach Jim Kelly argued the call with referee Otis Cowart. Cowart hit Kelly with a technical. Buczek hit two free throws for the foul call and 1-of-2 on the technicals.

Coffey, who transferred in from Monroe-Woodbury this year, followed with a 3-pointer, scoring eight points during the fateful run.

"With this talent, you are going to have runs, the other teams are going to have runs," Coffey said. "That was our run. Luckily, that put the game out of reach. Everyone is going to have their spotlight, like PJ did tonight. You just have to find the rhythm of the offense."

Burke Catholic vs. Middletown showcased two of Section 9's elite programs. The Eagles have claimed four straight Section 9 Class B titles and won the state championship two years ago. Burke Catholic is the favorite to win in Class A in March. Middletown is the defending Section 9 Class AA champion.

Burke Catholic defeated host Middletown 63-58 last season.

"I'm definitely happy, I'm proud of my team," Buczek said. "We knew that Middletown was going to come in strong. They lost last year, so they were going to be excited and hyped. The third quarter gave us a lot of confidence and we just played better and better from there."